Network-based remote control

ABSTRACT

The subject matter of the present disclosure can be implemented by, among other things, a remote control device configured to receive an identifier, present a plurality of controllable devices for selection on a display of the remote control device, and receive a selection of two or more controllable devices via the user interface. Using the identifier, a session with the two or more controllable devices is generated and performances of a same task by the two or more controllable devices are controlled by the remote control device by transmitting a message containing control information and the identifier to a network service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/705,820, filed Mar. 28, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/673,203, filed Nov. 4, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/038,556, filed Jul.18, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/232,483, filed Aug. 9, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/041,964, filed Mar. 7, 2011, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/411,386, filed Nov. 8,2010, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to techniques for controlling networked devices.

BACKGROUND

Various computing devices may be used to control a home electronicdevice such as a television, personal computer, tablet computer, stereo,or other computing device capable of outputting audio and/or videocontent. Remote controls typically communicate directly with the devicebeing controlled. For example, a user may actuate buttons on the remotecontrol, which causes the remote control to transmit a signal directlyto the device being controlled. The device interprets the receivedsignal and performs a corresponding action (e.g., altering the contentbeing played on the device). For instance, a user may use a remotecontrol to change the channel of a television.

In one conventional solution, a user may control the playback of videoon a television via a web application displayed on the television usinga keyboard and mouse. In another conventional solution, the user maypair a device that acts as a remote control directly with the deviceoutputting the audio and video (e.g., a television or stereo), such thatthe device outputting the audio and video acts as a server to the remotecontrol by, for example, communicating directly with the remote controland accepting incoming connections from the remote control.

SUMMARY

In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for exchanginginformation between a networked device, such as a network-enabledtelevision, and web-enabled device, such as a remote control, via anetwork service (e.g., a “cloud service”). In an example, theweb-enabled device can transmit control information via the networkservice to the networked device to control playback of media content(e.g., audio and/or video content) on the networked device. In anotherexample, the networked device can transmit content information via thenetwork service to the web-enabled device, such as status informationconcerning the networked device.

In one example, the disclosure is directed to an article of manufacturecomprising a computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructionsfor causing one or more programmable processors of a computing device toreceive, by a server, a first message from a remote control, wherein thefirst message includes a remote control identifier that uniquelyidentifies the remote control, and wherein the first message furtherincludes control information for controlling one or more functions of atleast one device other than the remote control. The instructions alsocause on or more programmable processors of the computing device toretrieve, by the server, at least one controlled device identifier froma data repository based on the remote control identifier, wherein the atleast one controlled device identifier uniquely identifies at least onecontrolled device that is distinct from and external to the server. Theinstructions also cause on or more programmable processors of thecomputing device to send a second message from the server to the atleast one controlled device identified by the at least one controlleddevice identifier, wherein the second message includes the controlinformation to control an operation of the at least one controlleddevice.

In another example, the disclosure is directed to a method that includesreceiving a first message from a remote control, wherein the firstmessage includes a remote control identifier that uniquely identifiesthe remote control, and wherein the first message further includescontrol information. The method also includes retrieving at least onecontrolled device identifier from a data repository based on the remotecontrol identifier, wherein the at least one controlled deviceidentifier uniquely identifies at least one controlled device. Themethod also includes sending a second message to the at least onecontrolled device identified by the at least one controlled deviceidentifier, wherein the second message includes the control informationto control an operation of the at least one controlled device.

In another example, a computing device includes one or more processors,a data repository configured to store data, a means for receiving afirst message from a remote control, and a device management module. Thefirst message received by the means includes a remote control identifierthat uniquely identifies the remote control, and the first messagefurther includes control information. The device management moduleretrieves at least one controlled device identifier from the datarepository based on the remote control identifier, wherein the at leastone controlled device identifier uniquely identifies at least onecontrolled device, and sends a second message to the at least onecontrolled device identified by the at least one controlled deviceidentifier, wherein the second message includes the control informationto control an operation of the at least one controlled device.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environmentwith a remote control and controlled device, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environmenthaving remote controls and controlled devices, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example remote control, whichmay be an example of the remote control shown in FIG. 1 or one of theremote controls shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example controlled device,which may be an example of the controlled device shown in FIG. 1 or oneof the controlled devices shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example server, which may bean example of the server shown in FIG. 1 , or included within thenetwork shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a remotecontrol communicating with a network server, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a networkserver communicating with a remote control, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a controlleddevice communicating with a network server, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a networkserver communicating with a controlled device, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques of this disclosure relate to a network service or “cloudservice” that acts as an intermediary between a remote control deviceand a controlled device. For example, the network service may receivecommands from a remote control and transmit the commands to a controlleddevice. The network service may also receive commands or otherinformation from the controlled device and transmit those commands orother information to the remote control. The remote control may includea remote control application executing on a mobile device, such as acellular telephone or a tablet computer. The controlled device mayinclude any Internet-connected device capable of receiving commands,such as an Internet-connected television, a set top box, a personalvideo recorder, a gaming console, or other networked device. In oneaspect, the remote control and the controlled device may operate assimple Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP clients of the network service.That is, the controlled device does not operate as a server to theremote control. Thus, any HTTP-enabled device may operate as a remotecontrol or as a controlled device.

In general, the remote control and the controlled device are configuredto both listen for messages from the network service and send messagesto the network service. In some examples, the network service controlspairing one or more remote controls and one or more controlled devices,receives information or commands from remote controls and controlleddevices, and sends information or commands to remote controls andcontrolled devices. The network service may direct received informationand commands to the appropriate devices based on pairing informationmaintained by the network service. A remote control may be configured tosend a message to a controlled device to perform a task, such asstopping playback of media content playing on the controlled devices orchanging the media content playing on the controlled devices. Toaccomplish the task, the remote control first sends a message to thenetwork service. The network service then determines the controlleddevice that is paired with the remote control and forwards the messageto the appropriate controlled device. The controlled device receives themessage from the network service and performs the task in response toreceiving the message.

In addition, the controlled device may be configured to send a messageto the remote control to notify the remote control of an event. Forexample, the controlled device may send a message to the remote controlto notify the remote control device that playback of media content hascompleted. In this example, the controlled device sends a message to thenetwork service. The network service determines the remote control thatis paired with the controlled device and forwards the message to theremote control paired with the sending controlled device. The remotecontrol receives the message and performs various actions in response toreceiving the message. The remote control may, for example, update auser interface of the remote control or send a message to the controlleddevice to begin playback of another video.

According to some examples, the network service may assign each remotecontrol and each controlled device a unique identifier. When pairingdevices, the network service may utilize the unique identifierassociated with each device to route communication signals properly. Forexample, the network service may initiate a session that includes eachunique identifier of remote controls and controlled devices that areauthorized to communicate with each other. The network service can thenroute messages to members of the session. Any number of remote controlsmay be paired with a single controlled device and one remote control maybe paired to any number of controlled devices. When pairing multipleremote controls and multiple controlled devices associated with a singleuser, the user may identify a subset of the remote controls as paired toa subset of the controlled devices, and manage which remote controlscontrol which controlled devices.

Remote controls and controlled devices may be paired using any one ofseveral different techniques. As one example, a user may maintain a useraccount using the network service, and the remote controls andcontrolled devices may be associated with the user account. For example,upon connecting to a network service, the remote controls and controlleddevices may notify the network service that the remote controls andcontrolled devices are connected to the network. The network servicemay, in some examples, determine whether the remote controls andcontrolled devices are authorized to be associated with the useraccount. If authorized, the network service initiates a session andassigns the remote controls and controlled devices unique identificationnumbers. The network service uses the unique identification numbers forpairing during a session. In another example, a user may be presentedwith a quick response (“QR”) code via the controlled device that theuser scans with the remote control (e.g., using a camera of the remotecontrol). The QR code identifies a user account or previously initiatedsession maintained by the network service. Upon scanning the QR code,the remote control may send a message to the network service indicatingthat the network service should assign a unique identification number tothe remote control and pair the remote control with the user account orsession identified by the QR code.

In this manner, one or more remote controls may control one or morecontrolled devices via the network service. Using the network service totransmit and receive messages between a remote control and a controlleddevice may enable non-traditional devices having rich input and displaycapabilities to act as a remote control. In addition, by using thenetwork service as an intermediary, the remote control and thecontrolled device, in various instances, may not need to be connected tothe same local area network, nor in physical proximity to each other.The network service may also enable pairing of a nearly limitless numberof remote controls and controlled devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environment10 with a remote control 14 and controlled device 18, in accordance withone aspect of the present disclosure. According to an aspect of thedisclosure, remote control 14 communicates with controlled device 18 vianetwork 22 and servers 24A-24N (collectively “servers 24”) in network22. As shown in FIG. 1 , according to some examples, remote control 14,controlled device 18, and servers 24 may be distinct components (e.g.,physically distinct).

According to an aspect of the disclosure, remote control 14 is aweb-enabled cellular phone. Other examples of the remote control 14include, but are not limited to, portable or mobile devices such ascellular phones or other wireless communication devices, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, tablets, portable gamingdevices, portable media players, e-book readers, watches, as well asnon-portable devices such as desktop computers. For purposes ofillustration only in this disclosure, remote control 14 is described asa portable or mobile device that a user can carry, but aspects of thisdisclosure should not be considered limited to portable or mobiledevices.

Remote control 14 may be configured to transmit signals to and receivesignals from network 22. In some examples, remote control 14 isconfigured to initiate contact with servers 24. For example, remotecontrol 14 may notify servers 24 that remote control 14 is connected tonetwork 22. Remote control 14 may notify servers 24, for example,automatically upon being powered on. In another example, a user may login to a user account maintained by the servers 24 using remote control14, thereby notifying servers 24 that remote control 14 is connected tonetwork 22. Remote control 14 may also be configured to transmit amessage to servers 24 of network 22 that identifies remote control 14,which can be used by servers 24 to pair remote control 14 withcontrolled device 18. The message may also contain control informationfor controlling one or more functions of controlled device 18.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , remote control 14 includes a userinterface 26 that may be used to present information to a user. Forexample, user interface 26 may display controls 30 and information 34associated with content being played on controlled device 18. Controls30 may depend on the capability of remote control 14 or controlleddevice 18, and include, for example, fast forward, reverse, skip aheador back, play, stop, move to new content, etc. The type and quantity ofinformation 34 may also depend on the capability of remote control 14and controlled device 18, and include, for example, playback informationsuch as time remaining of content, playlist information, content ratinginformation, etc.).

Controlled device 18 may include a variety of network-enabled devices,such as a network enabled television, set top box, personal videorecorder, or other device capable of being network-connected andcontrolled remotely. In an example, controlled device 18 is anInternet-connected television that is configured to receive signals fromand transmit signals to network 14. For example, controlled device 18may be configured to initiate contact with servers 24. For example,controlled device 18 may notify servers 24 that controlled device 18 isconnected to network 22. Controlled device 18 may notify servers 24, forexample, automatically upon being powered on. In another example, a usermay log in to a user account maintained by the servers 24 usingcontrolled device 18, thereby notifying servers 24 that controlleddevice 18 is connected to network 22. Controlled device 18 can also beconfigured to transmit a message to servers 24 of network 22 thatidentifies controlled device 18, which can be used by servers 24 to paircontrolled device 18 with remote control 14. The message may alsocontain notification or content data for updating a user interface ofremote control (e.g., indicating completion of a task, such ascompleting playback of content).

As shown in FIG. 1 , controlled device 18 may include a display 38 fordisplaying content to a user. In some examples, controlled device 18receives one or more messages from remote control 14 via network 22 andservers 24 to alter the content that is rendered on display 38 ofcontrolled device 18. In another example, controlled device 18 transmitsa message to remote control 14 via network 22 and servers 24 to notifythe user of remote control 14 that playback of content has beencompleted. Other messages can also be transmitted between controlleddevice 18 and remote control 14 via network 22 and servers 24. Forexample, controlled device 18 may transmit content information such as apreview of the content that is being displayed on controlled device 18,a playlist of future content to be displayed on controlled device 18,rating information associated with the content being displayed oncontrolled device 18, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 , network 22 and servers 24 are connected to remotecontrol 14 and controlled device 18. Network 22 may be connected toremote control 14 and controlled device 18 via wired and/or wirelesslinks. For example, remote control 14 and controlled device 18 may becoupled to network 22 via a combination of any wireless or wiredcommunication medium, such as a radio frequency (RF) spectrum or one ormore physical transmission lines, or any combination of wireless andwired media. The links may form part of a packet-based network, such asa local area network, a wide-area network, or a global network such asthe Internet. The links generally represent any suitable communicationmedium, or collection of different communication media, for transmittingsignals from remote control 14 to network 22 and from controlled device18 to network 22, including any suitable combination of wired orwireless media. The links may include routers, switches, base stations,or any other equipment that may be useful to facilitate communicationfrom remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to network 22.

Network 22 may include a wide-area network such as the Internet, alocal-area network (LAN), an enterprise network, or one or more othertypes of networks. Servers 24 may be any of several different types ofnetwork devices. For instance, servers 24 may be conventional webservers, specialized media servers, personal computers operating in apeer-to-peer fashion, or other types of network devices. As described ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 5 , in some examples, servers 24include one or more data repositories or databases for storinginformation, such as identification numbers, session identifiers, andany other information required to carry out data transfer between remotecontrol 14 and controlled device 18. In some examples, the datarepositories of servers 24 may be structured as one or more tables,database systems, linked lists, radix trees, or other suitable datastructure.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, network 22 and servers 24facilitate an exchange of data between remote control 14 and controlleddevice 18. For example, servers 24 associated with network 22 mayoperate as an intermediary between remote control 14 and controlleddevice 18 to relay data between remote control 14 and controlled device18. In some examples, servers 24 “pair” remote control 14 and controlleddevice 18 such that information and commands from remote control 14 canbe transmitted to controlled device 18, and information and commands canbe transmitted from controlled device 18 to remote control 14. Forexample, remote control 14 and controlled device 18 may initially notifyservers 24 that remote control 14 and controlled device 18 are connectedto network 22 and available for pairing. In some examples, servers 24authenticate that remote control 14 and controlled device 18 arepermitted to be paired. For example, servers 24 may maintain a useraccount that includes permissions for remote control 14 and controlleddevice 18, which allows remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to bepaired. In some examples, the authorization of remote control 14 andcontrolled device 18 utilizes HTTP header information to identify remotecontrol 14 and controlled device 18 as being associated with the useraccount. Servers 24 may assign unique identification numbers to eachauthorized remote control 14 and controlled device 18 connected tonetwork 22. To pair remote control 14 and controlled device 18, servers24 may create a session that includes all of the issued uniqueidentification numbers.

After adding remote control 14 and controlled device 18 to the session,messages generated by remote control 14 and controlled device 18 includetheir unique identification numbers, so that the servers 24 recognizeremote control 14 and controlled device 18 as being included in thesession. Servers 24 receive messages from remote control 14 andcontrolled device 18 and route the messages to other members of thesession. For example, a user may actuate one of controls 30 of remotecontrol 14 to alter the content displayed on display 38 of controlleddevice 18. Remote control 14 transmits a control message that includesthe unique identifier of remote control 14 to servers 24 via network 22.Servers 24 identify that remote control 14 is a member of a sessionbased on the unique identification number of remote control 14. Servers24 then routes the control message to controlled device 18, which isalso a member of the session. Controlled device 18 receives the controlmessage and performs the appropriate action.

Alternatively or additionally, controlled device 18 transmitsinformation (e.g., data for updating content information 34 displayed onremote control 14) that includes the unique identifier of controlleddevice 18 to servers 24 via network 22. Servers 24 identify thatcontrolled device 18 is a member of the session based on the uniqueidentification number of controlled device 18. A server then routes theinformation to remote control 14, which is also a member of the session.Remote control 14 then receives the information and updates userinterface 26 and information 34 according to the received information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example networked environment60 having remote controls 62A-62N (collectively, “remote controls 62”)and controlled devices 64A-64N (collectively, “controlled devices 64”)connected via network 66 and servers 68A-68N (collectively, “servers68”), in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. In someexamples, remote controls 62, controlled devices 64, network 66, andservers 68 may be configured similarly to, or the same as remote control14, controlled device 18, network 22, and servers 24, respectively,shown in FIG. 1 . Remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64 shown inFIG. 2 need not be configured in precisely the same way. For example,each remote control of remote controls 62 may be a different make ormodel of web-enabled mobile phone, according to one or more non-limitingexamples. In addition, each of the controlled devices of controlleddevices 64 may be a different make or model network-compatibletelevision, according to one or more non-limiting examples.

Servers 68 of network 66 may be responsible for initiating sessions andenabling pairing any of remote controls 62 with any of controlleddevices 64. For example, servers 68 of network 66 may assign a uniqueidentifier to each of the remote controls 62 and to each of thecontrolled devices 64. As described in more detail with respect to FIG.5 , servers 68 can utilize the unique identifiers to enablecommunication between the remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64.

Any number of remote controls 62 may be paired with a single controlleddevice from the controlled devices 64. In addition, a single remotecontrol of the remote controls 62 may be paired with any number of thecontrolled devices 64. When pairing multiple remote controls 62 andmultiple controlled devices 64 associated with a single user, the usermay manage permissions of the remote controls 62 and controlled devices64. For example, a user may identify a subset of the remote controls 62as being paired with a subset of the controlled devices 64.

Remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64 may be paired using avariety of techniques. In some examples, servers 68 may generate asession and pair any remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64associated with the session. For example, servers 68 may issue each ofremote controls 62 and controlled devices 64 connected to servers 68unique identification numbers, and associate those assigned uniqueidentification numbers as being members of the session. Remote controls62 and controlled devices 64 include their unique identification numbersin messages sent to servers 68, and servers pair the device sending themessage with other members of the session.

In other examples, remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64 may beindividually added to a session maintained by servers 68. For example, acontrolled device, such as controlled device 64A may present a user witha QR code that identifies a session that has been created by servers 68.The user may scan the QR code with one of remote controls 62 (e.g.,remote control 62A). Upon scanning the QR code, remote control 62Atransmits a message to servers 68 requesting that servers 68 issueremote control 62A a unique identification number and add remote control62A to the session associated with the QR code, thereby pairing remotecontrol 62A with controlled device 64A.

In some examples, more than one user of more than one of the remotecontrols 62 may be paired with a single controlled device, such ascontrolled device 64A. For example, more than one user of more than oneof the remote controls 62 may scan the same QR code displayed oncontrolled device 64A. In such examples, servers 68 pair each of theremote controls 62 with controlled device 64A by issuing each of remotecontrols 62 a unique identification number and adding remote controls 62to the session, thereby allowing control messages to be sent from remotecontrols 62 to controlled device 64A. Controlled device 64A can alsosend information (e.g., information to updates user interfaces of remotecontrols 62) to all of the paired remote controls 62 (e.g., all remotecontrols 62 that are members of the same session as controlled device64A) via servers 68.

A remote control, such as remote control 62A may also be paired withmore than one of the controlled devices 64 via servers 68. For example,a user may log into a user account maintained on servers 68 to associatedevices (e.g., any of remote controls 62 or controlled devices 64) withthe user account. The user may then identify remote controls 62 asremote control devices and controlled devices 64 as controlled devices,and servers 68 can pair the devices according to the user's preferences.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example remote control 75,which may be an example of, or the same as, remote control 14 shown inFIG. 1 or one of remote controls 62 shown in FIG. 2 . Remote control 75may include battery 80, user interface 84, display 88, storage device 92having one or more applications 94, one or more processors 96, andnetwork module 100. Other implementations of remote control 75 arepossible, having more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 3 .For example, in examples where remote control 75 is a cellular phone orother wireless communication device, remote control 75 includes amicrophone and speaker for voice communication.

Battery 80 provides power for the various units of remote control 75,and may be rechargeable. Examples of battery 80 include a lithiumpolymer battery, a lithium ion battery, nickel cadmium battery, and anickel metal hydride battery. User interface 84 allows a user of remotecontrol 14 to interact with remote control 75. Examples of userinterface 84 include a keypad embedded on device 84, a touch screen, akeyboard, a mouse, a roller ball, buttons, or other devices that allow auser to interact with remote control 75. In some examples, userinterface 84 may include a microphone to allow a user to provide voicecommands. In some examples, user interface 84 generates a graphical userinterface that allows a user to initiate commands. For example, userinterface 84 may include a software module that generates a graphicaluser interface that is displayed on display 88.

Display 88 may include one of a variety of display devices such as aliquid crystal display (LCD), an e-ink display, a cathode ray tube(CRT), a plasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display,or another type of display. Display 88 presents the content generated byremote control 75 (e.g., user interface 84 of remote control 75) to auser of remote control 75. For example, display 88 may presentapplications executed on remote control 75 such as a remote controlapplication, a web browser, content retrieved from servers, and otherfunctions that may need to be presented to the user. In some examples,display 88 may provide some or all of the functionality of userinterface 84. For example, display 88 may be a touch screen that allowsa user to interact with remote control 75.

Storage device 92 stores instructions for applications 94 that may beexecuted by one or more processors 96. For purposes of illustrationonly, in the following description applications 94 that may be executedby one or more processors 96 are described below as being executed byone processor 96. Applications 94 may be downloaded by a user via anetwork (e.g., downloaded from one or more of servers 24 via network 22as shown in FIG. 1 ) or may be preprogrammed within remote control 75.Applications 94 may be executed by processor 96 in response to a userinteracting with remote control 75 to execute the applications 94.Applications 94 may also be executed by processor 96 when a user turnson remote control 75.

Storage device 92 may also include instructions that cause processor 96to perform various functions ascribed to processor 96 in thisdisclosure. Storage device 92 may comprise a computer-readable,machine-readable, or processor-readable storage medium that comprisesinstructions that cause one or more processors, e.g., processor 96, toperform various functions. Storage device 92 may include any volatile,non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or anyother digital media. In some embodiments, storage device 92 may compriseone or more of a non-transitory/tangible storage media, where the datastored in such media may or may not change (e.g., ROM, RAM).

A user may interact with user interface 84 and/or display 88 to executeone or more applications 94 stored on storage device 92. Someapplications may be executed automatically by remote control 75, such aswhen remote control 75 is powered on or booted up. In response,processor 96 executes the one or more applications 94 selected by auser, or executes the one or more applications 94 executed by remotecontrol 75. Processor 96 may include any one or more of amicroprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.Additionally, the functions attributed to processor 96, in thisdisclosure, may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof.

Processor 96 may execute one or more of applications 94 either alone orsimultaneously. Examples of applications 94 include a remote controlapplication, web browsers, e-mail, programs to retrieve stock quotes,programs to search for restaurants, programs that retrieve current andfuture weather information, games, a program to search the Internet, aprogram that provides news, a program that provides maps, and otherprograms executed by processor 96. Applications 94 may be executed basedon a request from a user, and may be terminated based on a request froma user. Some applications 94 may be running continuously in thebackground. Some applications 94 may be executed automatically by remotecontrol 75 such as at power up and may be terminated automatically byremote control 75 such as at power down.

One or more applications 94 executed by processor 96 may require datafrom one or more of servers (e.g., such as servers 24 shown in FIG. 5 ).Network module 100 may transmit data/requests to and receivedata/responses from one or more servers via a network (such as network22 shown in FIG. 1 ). Network module 100 may also provide received datato processor 96 for further processing. Network module 100 may supportwireless or wired communication, and includes appropriate hardware andsoftware to provide wireless or wired communication. For example,network module 100 may include an antenna, modulators, demodulators,amplifiers, and other circuitry to effectuate communication betweenremote control 75 and one or more servers associated with a network.Network module 100 may communicate with one or more servers associatedwith a network according to a network communication protocol, such as,for example, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), HTTP secured bytransport layer security or secure sockets layer (HTTPS), simple mailtransfer protocol (SMTP), simple object access protocol (SOAP), or othercommunication protocols.

Remote control 75 may include a remote control application (e.g., aremote control application stored with applications 94 stored in storagedevice 92) that allows a user to initiate commands being sent to acontrolled device, such as controlled device 18 shown in FIG. 1 . A usermay interact with user interface 84 and/or display 88 to execute theremote control application. Processor 96 then executes the remotecontrol application and causes display 88 to display a remote controlapplication user interface to the user. In another example, a remotecontrol application may be stored on one or more servers on a networkand be accessible via the network. For example, a user may interact withuser interface 84 and/or display 88 to execute a web browser. Processor96 then executes the web browser application and causes display 88 todisplay a web browser to the user. The user may then interact with userinterface 84 and/or display 88 to utilize a website containing remotecontrol application content.

A user may use the remote control application of remote control 75, forexample, to initiate contact with a server, such as server 24, forpairing remote control 75 to one or more controlled devices, such ascontrolled device 18 shown in FIG. 1 . In some examples, the user mayalso utilize the remote control application of remote control 75 toselect one or more previously paired controlled devices, and to sendcontrol messages to one or more paired controlled devices. For example,the user may interact with user interface 84 and/or display 88 tointeract with and control any available controlled devices.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example controlled device 118,which may be an example of, or the same as controlled device 18 shown inFIG. 1 or one of controlled devices 64 shown in FIG. 2 . According toone example of the present disclosure, controlled device 118 includesuser interface 120, display 124, storage device 128, one or moreprocessors 132, and network module 136. Other example implementations ofcontrolled device 118 are possible, having more or fewer components thanthose shown in FIG. 4 . For example, controlled device 118 may be apersonal computer having additional components (e.g., an optical drive,a camera, etc.). In another example, controlled device 118 may be apersonal media player having fewer components than those shown in FIG. 4(e.g., a personal media player that lacks a display).

User interface 120 allows a user of controlled device 118 to interactwith controlled device 118. Examples of user interface 120 include anembedded keypad or other buttons. The user interface 120 may alsoinclude a detachable or otherwise independent device, such as atraditional remote control device having a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse,a roller ball, buttons, or other devices that allow a user to interactwith controlled device 18. A user may utilize user interface 120 tocontrol media content being presented by controlled device 118 (e.g.,audio or video content). In an example, a user may utilize userinterface 120 to navigate to a web page on the Internet in order todisplay the content hosted by the web page (e.g., YouTube®, Hulu®,Netflix®, other subscription or non subscription based video content).

Display 124 may comprise a variety of display devices such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an e-ink display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), aplasma display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, oranother type of display device. Display 124 presents content to a userof controlled device 118. For example, display 124 may be configured topresent audio and/or video content from a cable service provider, asatellite television provider, content accessible via the World WideWeb, or other content providers.

Although controlled device 118 is shown as including display 124,aspects of this disclosure should not be considered limited to examplesthat include display 124. In some examples of controlled device 118,display 124 may be optional. For example, if controlled device comprisesa web-enabled music player or a radio, controlled device 118 may notinclude display 124. In other examples, controlled device 118 mayinclude an external, independent display. For example, controlled device118 may be configured as a set top box or other component that isconnectable to a display.

Storage device 128 stores instructions for applications 130 that may beexecuted by one or more processors 132 associated with controlled device118. For purposes of illustration only in the following description,applications 130 that may be executed by one or more processors 132 aredescribed below as being executed by one processor 132. Applications 130may be pre installed by a manufacturer of controlled device 118, or maybe downloaded by a user from a server via a network, such as servers 24and network 22 shown in FIG. 1 . Applications 130 may be executed byprocessor 132 in response to a user interacting with controlled device118 to execute the applications 130.

Storage device 128 may also include instructions that cause processor132 to perform various functions ascribed to processor 132 in thisdisclosure. Storage device 132 may comprise a computer-readable,machine-readable, or processor-readable storage medium that comprisesinstructions that cause one or more processors, e.g., processor 132, toperform various functions. Storage device 132 may include any volatile,non-volatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or anyother digital media. In some embodiments, storage device 132 maycomprise one or more of a non-transitory/tangible storage media, wherethe data stored in such media may or may not change (e.g., ROM, RAM).

A user may interact with user interface 120 and/or display 124 toexecute one or more of applications 130 stored on storage device 128.Some applications 130 may be executed automatically by controlled device118 such as when controlled device 118 is turned on or booted up. Inresponse, processor 132 executes the one or more applications 130selected by a user, or executes the one or more applications 130executed by controlled device 118. Processor 132 may include any one ormore of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete orintegrated logic circuitry. Additionally, the functions attributed toprocessor 132, in this disclosure, may be embodied as software,firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Processor 132 may execute one or more of applications 130 either aloneor simultaneously. Examples of applications 130 include an applicationfor displaying television content provided by a satellite or cableprovider, an application for displaying content hosted on the World WideWeb, a web browser application, a social networking application, ane-mail application, programs to retrieve stock quotes, programs tosearch for restaurants, programs that retrieve current and futureweather information, games, a program to search the Internet, a programthat provides news, a program that provides maps, and other programsexecuted by processor 132. Applications 130 may be executed based on arequest from a user, and may be terminated based on a request from auser. Some applications 130 may be running continuously in thebackground. Some applications 130 may be executed automatically bycontrolled device 118 such as at power up and may be terminatedautomatically by controlled device 118 such as at power down.

In some examples, any application of applications 130 executed byprocessor 132 may require data from one or more of servers, such asservers 24 shown in FIG. 1 . Network module 136 is configured totransmit data/requests to and receive data/responses from one or moreservers via network. Network module 136 may provide received data toprocessor 132 for further processing. Network module 136 may supportwireless or wired communication, and includes appropriate hardware andsoftware to provide wireless or wired communication. For example,network module 136 may include an antenna, modulators, demodulators,amplifiers, and other circuitry to effectuate communication betweencontrolled device 118 and one or more servers associated with a network.Network module may 100 may communicate with one or more serversassociated with the network according to a network communicationprotocol, such as, for example, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), HTTPsecured by transport layer security or secure sockets layer (HTTPS),simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), simple object access protocol(SOAP), or other communication protocols.

Controlled device 118 may be used, in some examples, in conjunction witha remote control, such as remote control 14 shown in FIG. 1 , remotecontrols 62 shown in FIG. 2 , or remote control 75 shown in FIG. 3 . Forexample, storage device 92 may store application instructions associatedwith a video application or web browser for displaying video contentfrom the World Wide Web (e.g., YouTube® content, Hulu® content, Netflix®content, etc.). A user may interact with user interface 120 to executethe video or web browser application. Processor 120 then executes thevideo or web browser application and causes display 124 to displaycontent to the user.

A user may utilize the video application of applications 130 or webbrowser of controlled device 118 to facilitate pairing of controlleddevice 118 to one or more remote controls, such as remote control 14shown in FIG. 1 . For example, controlled device 118 may notify aserver, such as sever 24 shown in FIG. 1 , that it is available to bejoined to a session maintained by server 24 upon powering on orexecuting a video or web browser application. In other examples, acontrolled device 118 may provide an interface that allows a user toauthorize one or more remote controls to send commands to controlleddevice 118 via a network. Additionally or alternatively, controlleddevice 118 may display a QR code using display 124 that can be scannedby a remote control. After scanning the QR code displayed using display124 with the remote control, the remote control may be authorized tosend control signals to controlled device 118 via the network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example server 160 associatedwith network 162, which may be an example of servers 24 of network 22shown in FIG. 1 , or servers 68 of network 66 shown in FIG. 2 , inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. While describedherein in relation to servers 68 of FIG. 2 , server 160 may also beimplemented in a variety of other network environments having componentsother than those shown in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 5 , server 160 maybe comprised as a single unit with an interface module 164, a devicemanagement module 168, and a data repository 172. While shown as asingle unit in FIG. 5 , in other implementations, hardware and functionsassociated with server 160 may be spread among more than one serverunit. In addition, sever 160 may include more modules shown in FIG. 5 .

Interface module 164 is configured to accept signals being received bythe server 160 and transmit signals being transmitted by server 160. Insome examples, input and output network interfaces of the interfacemodule 164 may be functionally integrated, while in other examples,input and output interfaces may be separate interfaces of interfacemodule 164. For example, network interfaces of interface module 164 mayinclude one or more network interface cards (NICs) configured tocommunicate over, for example, Ethernet, Transmission Control Protocol(TCP), Internet protocol (IP), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), orother network communication protocols. In some examples, server 160 mayinclude a plurality of either or both input and output interfaces.

Data repository 172 stores information such as user information, sessioninformation, unique identifier numbers, and any other informationrequired to carry out data transfer between remote control 14 andcontrolled device 18. In some examples, an entry within data repository172 includes a unique identification number that has been assigned to aremote control or controlled device. Alternatively or additionally, anentry within data repository 172 may identify an association between aremote control and a controlled device. In some examples, datarepository 172 may also be configured to store data from past sessionsbetween remote control 14 and controlled device 18. In some examples,data repository 172 may be structured as one or more tables, databasesystems, linked lists, radix trees, or other suitable data structure.

Device management module 168 generates messages, as well as controlsmessages being received from and messages being transmitted to remotecontrols 62 and controlled devices 64 of FIG. 2 . In some examples,device management module 168 receives messages from remote controls 62and controlled devices 64 notifying device management module 168 thatthe devices are available for pairing. Device management module 168 mayauthorize devices according to permissions set by a user having a useraccount. After providing authorization, device management module 168 maygenerate an identification message to aid device management module 168in managing a session. In the example of one of remote controls 62, suchas remote control 62A, requesting authorization to join a sessionmaintained by device management module 168, device management module 168assigns remote control 62A a unique session identification number (SID).Device management module 168 may also store the SID associated withremote control 62A in data repository 172, and return the SID to remotecontrol 62A. Device management module 168 may also generate and storeunique SIDs for controlled devices 64 in a similar manner. For example,device management module 168 may assign each connected controlled device64 that requests authorization to join a session maintained by devicemanagement module with a unique SID which the controlled devices 64 canthen use to identify itself in future communications.

After assigning SIDs to connected devices, device management module 168can manage messages between remote controls 62 and controlled devices64. For example, device management module 168 may receive a messagecontaining an SID and control information from one of remote controls62, such as remote control 62A, for controlling on or more controlleddevices 64. Device management module 168 then identifies the sessionthat includes the SID of remote control 62A and determines the intendedrecipient(s) (e.g., one or more controlled devices 64) based on theother members of the session that have been assigned SIDs. That is,device management module 168 queries data repository 172 to determinethe SIDs of all devices included in the session. After determining whichcontrolled devices 64 are associated with the session, device managementmodule 168 transmits the control information to the intended controlleddevices 64. In some examples, device management module 168 transmits thecontrol information to all devices having SIDs that are associated withthe session. Devices receiving the control information that are notconfigured to execute the control information (e.g., other remotecontrols 62 of the session) can ignore the message. In other examples,device management module 168 determines which SIDs of the session areassociated with controlled devices 64, and transmits the controlinformation to only the controlled devices 64. The control messages canbe used by the controlled devices 64 to alter playback of content ofcontrolled devices 64.

Device management module 168 may also control messages being transmittedfrom controlled devices 64 to remote controls 62. For example, afterassigning SIDs to connected devices, device management module 168 may beconfigured to receive a message containing an SID from a controlleddevice, such as controlled device 64A, as well as content informationfor updating a user interface associated with one or more connectedremote controls 62. Device management module 168 then identifies thesession that includes the SID of controlled device 64A and determinesthe indented recipient(s) (e.g., one or more remote controls 62) basedon the other members of the session that have been assigned SIDs. Thatis, device management module 168 queries data repository 172 todetermine the SIDs of all devices included in the session. Afterdetermining which remote controls 62 are associated with the session,device management module 168 transmits the content information to theintended remote controls. In some examples, device management module 168transmits the content information to all devices having SIDs that areassociated with the session. Devices receiving the content informationthat are not configured to execute the content information (e.g., othercontrolled devices 64 of the session) can ignore the message. In otherexamples, device management module 168 determines which SIDs of thesession are associated with remote controls 62, and transmits thecontent information to only the remote controls 62. The contentinformation may be used by the remote controls 62 to update a userinterface of remote controls 62 or update playlist information of remotecontrols 62.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, device management module168 carries out the routing of information between remote controls 62and controlled devices by “pairing” the remote controls 62 andcontrolled devices 64 using the identification numbers described above.In some examples, device management module 168 pairs all authorizeddevices that have been issued an SID. In other examples, devicemanagement module 168 identifies and stores associations of remotecontrols 62 and controlled devices 64 to facilitate repeat communicationbetween remote controls 62 and controlled devices 64. Device managementmodule 168 may pair devices in a variety of ways including, for example,utilizing QR codes or allowing a user to manage pairing via a userinterface.

In some examples, device management module 168 may utilize a QR code tofacilitate a device joining a session and being paired with otherdevices of the session. For example, device management module 168 maygenerate a unique session identification number that identifies asession. Upon scanning the QR code (e.g., the QR code being displayed onone or more of controlled devices 64), a remote control, such as remotecontrol 62A, transmits a message to device management module 168 torequest that remote control 62A be included in the session identified inthe QR code. In some examples, device management module 168 thenauthorizes remote control 62A, issues remote control 62A an SID, andadds the SID to the session. The process can be repeated by other remotecontrols 62, such that device management module pairs multiple remotecontrols 62 with controlled device 64A, thereby allowing controlleddevice 64A to receive commands from multiple remote controls 62.

In other examples, a user may access a user account stored, for example,in data repository 172 to enable device management module 168 to pairremote controls 62 and controlled devices 64. For example, a user maylog into a user account maintained on server 160 to associate devices(e.g., any of remote controls 62 or controlled devices 64) with the useraccount. Unique identification numbers for each device may be stored,for example, in data repository 172. The user may then identify remotecontrols 62 as remote control devices and controlled devices 64 ascontrolled devices, and device management module 168 can pair thedevices according to the user's preferences. After pairing, devicemanagement module 168 can facilitate communication between remotecontrols 62 and controlled devices 64.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, remote controls 62 andcontrolled devices 64 are HTTP clients of server 160. That is, server160 is configured to receive and transmit messages according to HTTPprotocol. In other examples, however, server 160 may be configured toreceive and transmit messages according to other protocols, such asExtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) or Remote ProcedureCall (RPC) protocol.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a remotecontrol communicating with a network server, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure. For purposes of illustration only, themethod of FIG. 6 is described with respect to networked environment 10of FIG. 1 , though various other systems and/or devices may be utilizedto implement or perform the method shown in FIG. 6 .

According to some examples, remote control 14 notifies servers 24 thatremote control is connected to network 22, and servers 24 assign remotecontrol 14 a remote control identifier (e.g., a unique SID) (200).Remote control 14 may notify servers 24, for example, automatically uponbeing powered on. In another example, a user may log in to a useraccount maintained by the servers 24 using a remote control applicationon remote control 14, thereby notifying servers 24 that remote control14 is connected to network 22. In another example, remote control 14 maynotify servers 24 that it is connected to network 22 and request an SIDby, for example, scanning a QR code displayed on controlled device 18.The QR code may be associated with a user account or active session, andsevers 24 may assign remote control 14 an SID associated with the useraccount or session. In some examples, prior to assigning remote control14 an SID, server 24 verifies that remote control 14 is authorized to beassigned an SID. For example, a user may maintain an account on servers24 that includes permissions regarding which remote controls andcontrolled devices can be associated with the user account and assignedSIDs. Upon authorization (e.g., HTTP authorization using HTTP headerinformation), servers 24 assign remote control 14 an SID.

Remote control 14 also transmits a message to server 24 that includes aremote control identifier and control information. For example, theremote control identifier may include the SID issued by severs 24 thatidentifies remote control 14 as being part of a session maintained byservers 24 (204). The control information may include data intended toalter the operation of controlled device 18 (e.g., stop playback ofcontent, move to other content, etc.).

Server 24 then identifies controlled device 18 that is intended toreceive the control information. For example, server 24 may query adatabase of stored identification numbers to determine which controlleddevice is associated with the session that includes the remote controlidentifier. Server then transmits the control information to theintended controlled device 18 (210). In some examples, server 24forwards the control information from the message directly to one ormore controlled devices 18. In other examples, server 24 may processand/or repackage the control information of the message into a newmessage. After receiving the control information, controlled device 18executes an action in accordance with the control information (212).

In some examples, multiple remote controls 14 can be paired with asingle controlled device 18. For example, a plurality of remote controls14 may be used by one or more users to scan the same QR code displayedon a single controlled device 18. In this example, the server maytransmit a control message from each of the plurality of remote controls14 to controlled device 18. Server 24 may also maintain a priority listthat provides certain remote controls 14 with a higher priority thanother remote controls. Upon receiving conflicting commandssimultaneously, then, server 24 can refer to the priority list todetermine which control information to send to controlled device 18.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a networkserver handling communication between a remote control and a controlleddevice, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Forpurposes of illustration only, the method of FIG. 7 is described withrespect to networked environment 10 of FIG. 1 , though various othersystems and/or devices may be utilized to implement or perform themethod shown in FIG. 7 .

In some examples, server 24 receives a message from remote control 14having a remote control identifier and control information (220). Forexample, the message from remote control 14 may contain an SID issued byservers 24 that identifies remote control 14 as being part of a session.In addition, the message may contain control information intended toalter the operation of one or more controlled devices 18 (e.g., stopplayback, begin next payback item, etc.). After receiving the messagefrom remote control 14, server 24 retrieves a controlled deviceidentifier that identifies one or more controlled devices 18 intended toreceive the control information (224). For example, server 24 may querya database of stored identification numbers to determine whichcontrolled device is associated with the session that includes theremote control identifier. Server 24 then transmits a message to theintended recipients (one or more controlled devices 18) of the controlinformation (228). In some examples, server 24 forward the controlinformation from the first message directly to one or more controlleddevices 18. In other examples, server 24 may process and/or repackagethe control information of the message from remote control 14 into a newmessage, which can be sent to the intended recipients of the controlinformation.

Server 24 may, in some examples, initialize a group session uponreceiving the message from remote control 14. For example, server 24 maymaintain a session that includes the identifiers for all of thecomponents sending and receiving messages (e.g., remote control(s) 14and controlled device(s) 18). The session may be maintained by a devicemanagement module (such as device management module 168 shown in FIG. 5) of server 24 in order to efficiently route the messages from remotecontrol 14 to controlled device 18, as well as messages from controlleddevice 18 to remote control 14 (e.g., as discussed below with respect toFIGS. 8 and 9 ). Server 24 may store identifiers associated with asession in a data repository (such as data repository 172 shown in FIG.5 ).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a networkserver handling communication between a controlled device and a remotecontrol, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Forpurposes of illustration only, the method of FIG. 8 is described withrespect to networked environment 10 of FIG. 1 , though various othersystems and/or devices may be utilized to implement or perform themethod shown in FIG. 8 .

According to some examples, controlled device 18 notifies servers 24that controlled device 18 is connected to network 22, and servers 24assign controlled device 18 a controlled device identifier (e.g., aunique SID) (236). Controlled device 18 may notify servers 24, forexample, automatically upon being powered on. In another example, a usermay log in to a user account maintained by the servers 24 using anapplication on controlled device 18 (e.g., a web browser application),thereby notifying servers 24 that controlled device 18 is connected tonetwork 22. In some examples, prior to assigning controlled device 18 anSID, server 24 verifies that controlled device 18 is authorized to beassigned an SID. For example, a user may maintain an account on servers24 that includes permissions regarding which remote controls andcontrolled devices can be associated with the user account and assignedSIDs. Upon authorization (e.g., HTTP authorization using HTTP headerinformation), servers 24 assign controlled device 18 an SID.

Controlled device 18 also transmits a message to server 24 that includesa controlled device identifier and content information. For example, thecontrolled device identifier may include the SID issued by severs 24that identifies controlled device 18 as being part of a session (238).The content information may include data intended to update a userinterface of remote control 14 (e.g., update playlist information,request user to take action regarding content playback, notify user thatplayback of new content has begun, and the like).

Server 24 then receives the message from controlled device 18 andidentifies remote control 14 that is intended to receive the contentinformation (240). For example, server 24 may query a database of storedidentification numbers to determine which remote control 14 isassociated with the session that includes the controlled deviceidentifier. Server 24 then transmits the control information to theintended controlled device 18 (242). In some examples, server 24forwards the content information from the message directly to one ormore remote controls 14. In other examples, server 24 may process and/orrepackage the content information of the message into a new message.After receiving the content message from server 24, remote controlexecutes an action in accordance with the message (e.g., update a userinterface of remote control 14) (244)).

Messages other than those specifically described with respect to FIG. 8may also be exchanged between controlled device 18 and server 24.According to some aspects of the disclosure, controlled device 18 maycomplete a preliminary identification process, during which server 24supplies controlled device 18 with an identification number. Forexample, prior to transmitting a message to remote control 14,controlled device 18 may initiate contact with server 24 to request anidentification number. Server 24 may then generate an identificationnumber and transmit the identification number to controlled device 18.Controlled device 18 can then incorporate that identification numberinto the identifier portion of the message described above.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a controlleddevice communicating with a network server, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure. For purposes of illustration only, themethod of FIG. 9 is described with respect to networked environment 10of FIG. 1 , though various other systems and/or devices may be utilizedto implement or perform the method shown in FIG. 9 .

In some examples, server 24 receives a message from controlled device 18having a controlled device identifier and content information (250). Forexample, the message from controlled device 18 may contain an SID issuedby servers 24 that identifies controlled device 18 as being part of asession. In addition, the message may contain content informationintended to notify a user of an event regarding controlled device 18, orto prompt a user of remote control 14 to take an action (e.g.,notification that playback has stopped, notification that playback ofnew content has begun, and the like). The content information may beused, for example, to update a user interface of remote control 14.

After receiving the message from controlled device 18, server 24retrieves a remote control identifier that identifies one or more remotecontrols 14 intended to receive the content information (224). Forexample, server 24 may query a database of stored identification numbersto determine which remote control 14 is associated with the session thatincludes the remote control identifier. Server 24 then transmits amessage to the indeed recipients (one or more remote controls 14) of thecontent information (258). In some examples, server 24 forwards thecontent information from the first message directly to one or moreremote controls 14. In other examples, server 24 may process and/orrepackage the content information of the message from controlled device18 into a new message, which can be sent to the intended recipients ofthe content information.

The messages described with respect to FIGS. 5-9 may be transmittedaccording to HTTP protocol. Other protocols, however, may also beimplemented. For example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol(XMPP) or Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocols can also be implemented.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Various featuresdescribed as modules, units or components may be implemented together inan integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperablelogic devices or other hardware devices. In some cases, various featuresof electronic circuitry may be implemented as one or more integratedcircuit devices, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset.

If implemented in hardware, this disclosure may be directed to anapparatus such a processor or an integrated circuit device, such as anintegrated circuit chip or chipset. Alternatively or additionally, ifimplemented in software or firmware, the techniques may be realized atleast in part by a computer-readable data storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform one ormore of the methods described above. For example, the computer-readabledata storage medium may store such instructions for execution by aprocessor. In various aspects, an article of manufacture may compriseone or more computer-readable media.

A computer-readable medium may form part of a computer program product,which may include packaging materials. A computer-readable medium maycomprise a computer data storage medium such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, EEPROM,FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like. Thetechniques additionally, or alternatively, may be realized at least inpart by a computer-readable communication medium that carries orcommunicates code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat can be accessed, read, and/or executed by a computer.

The code or instructions may be software and/or firmware executed byprocessing circuitry including one or more processors, such as one ormore DSPs, general purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, or otherequivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term“processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structureor any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniquesdescribed herein. In addition, in some aspects, functionality describedin this disclosure may be provided within software modules or hardwaremodules.

Various examples of the disclosure have been described. These and otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving, by a remote control device, an identifier; causing, by theremote control device, a user interface to be presented on a display ofthe remote control device, wherein the user interface presents aplurality of controllable devices for selection; receiving, by theremote control device via the user interface, a selection of two or morecontrollable devices from the plurality of controllable devices;generating, a session with the two or more controllable devices usingthe identifier; and controlling, by the remote control device,performances of a same task by the two or more controllable devices bytransmitting a message containing control information and the identifierto a network service.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting a notification that the remote control device is connectedto a communication network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a useraccount includes permissions regarding a plurality of remote controldevices and a plurality of controlled devices that are associated withthe user account, and the method further comprises: authenticating, theremote control device by transmitting user account informationassociated with the user account to the network service and determiningwhether the user account includes a permission corresponding to theremote control device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifieruniquely identifies the remote control device and is assigned to theremote control device by the network service.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of controllable devices have been previouslypaired in a previous session and are associated with permissionscorresponding to each of the plurality of controllable devices andwherein each of the plurality of previously paired controllable devicesis uniquely identified by a controlled device identifier.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the control information includes instructions tomanage playback of a media content item that is being presented usingthe two or more controllable devices.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving event messages from the two or more controllabledevices, wherein the event messages relate to one or more media contentitems being presented using the two or more controllable devices.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a preview of a mediacontent item being presented using the two or more controllable devices;and updating the user interface to include the preview of the mediacontent item.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving aplaylist of future media content items to be presented using the two ormore controllable devices; and updating the user interface to includethe playlist of future media content items.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the two or more controllable devices are associated withcontrolled device identifiers that uniquely identify the two or morecontrollable devices, and wherein the identifier and the controlleddevice identifiers are associated with the session.
 11. A remote controldevice comprising: a memory; and a hardware processor that, whenexecuting computer executable instructions stored in the memory, isconfigured to: receive an identifier; cause a user interface to bepresented on a display of a remote control device, wherein the userinterface presents a plurality of controllable devices for selection;receive, via the user interface, a selection of two or more controllabledevices from the plurality of controllable devices; generate a sessionwith the two or more controllable devices using the identifier; andcontrol performances of a same task by the two or more controllabledevices by transmitting a message containing control information and theidentifier to a network service.
 12. The remote control device of claim11, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to transmit anotification that the remote control device is connected to acommunication network.
 13. The remote control device of claim 11,wherein a user account includes permissions regarding a plurality ofremote control device and a plurality of controlled devices that areassociated with the user account, and the hardware processor is furtherconfigured to: authenticate the remote control device by transmittinguser account information associated with the user account to the networkservice and determine whether the user account includes a permissioncorresponding to the remote control device.
 14. The remote controldevice of claim 11, wherein the plurality of controllable devices havebeen previously paired in a previous session and are associated withpermissions corresponding to each of the plurality of controllabledevices and wherein each of the plurality of previously pairedcontrollable devices is uniquely identified by a controlled deviceidentifier.
 15. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein thecontrol information includes instructions to manage playback of a mediacontent item being presented using the two or more controllable devices.16. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein the hardwareprocessor is further configured to receive event messages from the twoor more controllable devices, wherein the event messages relate to oneor more media content items being presented using the two or morecontrollable devices.
 17. The remote control device of claim 11, whereinthe hardware processor is further configured to: receive a preview of amedia content item being presented using the two or more controllabledevices; and update the user interface to include the preview of themedia content item.
 18. The remote control device of claim 11, whereinthe hardware processor is further configured to: receive a playlist offuture media content items to be presented using the two or morecontrollable devices; and update the user interface to include theplaylist of future media content items.
 19. The remote control device ofclaim 11, wherein the two or more controllable devices are associatedwith controlled device identifiers that uniquely identify the two ormore controllable devices, and wherein the identifier and the controlleddevice identifiers are associated with the session.
 20. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform amethod, the method comprising: receiving an identifier; causing a userinterface to be presented on a display of a remote control device,wherein the user interface presents a plurality of controllable devicesfor selection; receiving, via the user interface, a selection of two ormore controllable devices from the plurality of controllable devices;generating a session with the two or more controllable devices using theidentifier; and controlling performances of a same task by the two ormore controllable devices by transmitting a message containing controlinformation and the identifier to a network service.